Christianity is not an ideology but an event that transforms lives, says Brazilian bishop

Bishop Filippo Santoro of Petropolis, Brazil said this week Christianity “is not an ideology” but an “event that affects one’s life and fully transforms it.”

Bishop Santoro spoke to CNA on the occasion of the ecclesial movement Communion and Liberation celebrating its 25th anniversary of arriving in Rio de Janeiro.

The Brazilian bishop, who was involved in bringing the movement to Brazil, reflected on the way that the movement strives to follow Christ.

Christianity, he said, is not only “a correct theory, nor a moral code or form of worship,” but rather it is something that transforms the lives of people and makes them “more humane and fills them with delight.”

Bishop Santoro explained that the impetus to bring about the transformation and liberation of the world arises out of Christians seeking to live in friendship with Jesus like the Apostles did.

The anniversary of Communion and Liberation being established in Rio should serve as an invitation to live “in fidelity to the charism,” the bishop said, and to carry out one’s daily tasks in joyful service to the Church.